It’s been a bittersweet week in these parts…

A few weeks ago, my company decided to lay an entire unit off at my job, including me. But I’ve had to stay this long to aid in the transition. Monday, I turn in my computer, my badge and anything else important I still have.

Yesterday, my team took me out for lunch. My boss presented me with an absolutely lovely, black leather designer handbag (for taking to signings), a fancy Kate Spade pen (so I have a special signing pen), and a bottle of what I’m sure is relatively expensive champagne.

I haven’t cried yet, but I have a feeling I’ll be a total waterworks on Monday. I had a love/hate relationship with this job– SO high stress, yet such amazing benefits. My stock options helped me get my book out in the first place. I can kiss those goodbye. Mostly, the people here were my friends. They were my family. Most, I adore, and will miss terribly. Others, probably not so much.

This is now my fourth layoff (the third of not making it through), and during the first, I bawled like a baby for most of the day, seeing most of my co-workers getting chopped. I just can’t do that anymore. I’m friends with everyone, and this is a smaller town than Dallas was, so I’m sure I’ll see most of them again– at the Farmers Market, at The Fringe, out at a restaurant, meeting for coffee.

People have asked me if I’ll only write from now on. That would be great if the income was as good as this last job (it isn’t). I have a mortgage now. And I enjoy going out to brunch, which gets expensive. I’ll still have to work, but I’m in no hurry to go back to the grind. I’ve got three appearances planned here in Alberta to promote The Forgotten Flapper. I’ve got an appearance in Hollywood at Cinecon, and I’m headed to Surrey, BC in October for the writers conference there.

Right now, I’m just looking forward to enjoying some writing time and being able to relax for a while. But it’s a decision I’d love to be able to make. That whole…not having a job and following the dream thing. But eventually, I’ll at least have to take on a contract job for a while to pay the bills.

Have any of you been in this situation, and did you make the dream a reality, doing what you love?